Daily Trust - the online edition

The power generation in the country has again fallen below 1,000 megawatts, the Miniser of Energy (Power), Hajiya Fatima Balarabe Ibrahim, said yesterday.

Ibrahim said the federal government was worried by the low water level in the dams and shortfall of gas supply to the thermal stations.

She said that the shortfalls were noticed in the last two weeks, adding that the government has taken measures to address the problems.

At a news conference in Abuja, Ibrahim, flanked by her counterparts in charge of Gas, Mr. Emanneul Odusina, and Information and Communications, John Odey, said the total quantity of electricity produced by the combined power plants in the country was only 870 Megawatt (mw) from 3000Mw in the last two weeks.

She said that the situation will improve as from Wednesday: "3000mw was generated from assets that are capable of producing about 4,500mw. While this was well below comfort zone, the generation dipped to about 2,300mw in the last few weeks. But that now, the overall generation dropped by 830mw due to low water levels, while additional 1,300mw is reduced by inadequate gas supply from the International Oil Companies (IOCs) and other delivery constraints," said Ibrahim.

She said the losses translate to a total of 2130mw of electrity.

Mr. Odusina said that the problem in gas supply was as a result of a loss of 225million standard cubic feet of gas from the Itorogo gas field run by Shell which supplies Egbin, Geregu and other thermal stations.

He said that Shell had to stop the gas supply because it supplied wet gas.

"At Itorogu where Shell supplies gas to Escravos, they only supply wet gas but we need dry gas to power the electricity turbines.

"This is why the Egbin and Geregu plants suffer from gas shortages, the minister said.

He said Shell was working round the clock to bring the situation under control by next Wednesday, adding that the Federal Government was taking the issue of gas supply very serious and has directed all IOCs to dedicate a certain percentage of the gas production to domestic use as an appropriate pricing template is being worked out.

On the water levels in the dams, Ibrahim said nothing can be done about it.

	11. 03-05-2008 08:02
	BLAMING GOD FOR LACK OF ELECTRICITY IN N These people have no plausible reason as to why is there no electricity in Naija. Are they tactically blaming God? Why should gas and water be the problem for lack of electricity When God gave (and still giving) them to us in abundance? Instead of them to lament the billions embezzled in the sector they are saying God is unkind to us. Guest

INYA